Guinta announces he's again a candidate for Congress

MANCHESTER — Calling for an end to partisan gridlock and for more "New Hampshire common sense" in Washington, former U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta made it official today that he is a candidate for the 1st District seat he lost last November.

The former Manchester mayor made the announcement, along with his wife, Morgan, in a two-minute web video available on his web site, TeamGuinta.com. He also announced his candidacy in the 2014 mid-term elections during an early-morning appearance at the Bedford Republican Committee's annual breakfast meeting at the Manchester Country Club.

In the video, Guinta, dressed casually, sits at a table, presumably in his home, and says that the "news out of Washington is pretty depressing these days" with "politicians of both parties" more interested in "fighting than making tough decisions and solving our problems."

He says that by working together "we can find common ground without sacrificing our principles."

Guinta says that as Manchester's mayor from 2006 through 2009, he "worked with Democrats and Republicans to improve the city" and, "together, we cut spending, lowered property taxes and improved services."

He calls for "reform" of Medicare and Social Security and for "economic policies that create opportunity and growth."

While Guinta talks about his service as mayor in the video, he does not mention that he is a former congressman.

"While some politicians always think bigger government is the answer, in New Hampshire, we know better," he said. "It's about putting people first."

Morgan Guinta calls her husband "a super dad" to their two children, "a great leader"and "great at listening and bringing people together to solve problems."

Guinta turns 43 on Thursday. He wants a "rubber match" next fall with Democrat U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, whom Guinta ousted from the House seat in 2010, only to have her return the favor in 2012.

Guinta is expected to first face a Republican primary. Political newcomer Dan Innis of Portsmouth last week said he will resign as dean of the Peter T. Paul School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire. He is expected to announce his candidacy within the next several weeks.

Guinta was a strong supporter of the House Republican agenda during his term in office. As a member of the House Budget Committee, he was a supporter of budget committee chairman and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who was last year's party nominee for vice president.

Ryan will return to the Granite State in October to campaign for Guinta.

Democrats wasted no time criticizing Guinta.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Guinta "had an opportunity to stand up for his constituents, but instead he voted in lockstep with Paul Ryan and the Tea Party to try to end Medicare as we know it and raise taxes on New Hampshire's middle class families. Voters already fired Congressman Guinta for his attempts to impose his out-of-touch agenda, which hurt New Hampshire's economy and stifled job creation."